Two arrested cutting into ATM

Two Willits men were arrested early Sunday morning after breaking into a Ferndale bank.

Ferndale police officers responded to an internal alarm at the US Bank on Ocean Avenue at 3:26 a.m. and heard voices and saw smoke inside the building, according to Police Chief Bret Smith.

Police apprehended two men inside the bank following resistance from one suspect, Smith said.

The men were identified as Larry Daniel Rodriguez, 39, and Sylvester Loren Vansickle, 56, both of Willits.

Smith said it appeared they had broken into the bank with a pry bar and were using an acetylene torch to attempt to cut into the backside of an ATM.

The men were arrested on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, burglary with an acetylene torch, possession of burglary tools and possession of tools to break open a vending machine and transported to the Humboldt County jail.

Smith said the Ferndale Police Department is working with the FBI to determine if federal charges can be made against the suspects.